PennDOT is announcing traffic on southbound (inbound) Route 28 in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will be shifted into a new configuration between the 31st Street Bridge and the Chestnut Street overpass beginning Friday morning, Sept. 5, weather permitting.

In traffic, as in life, it takes time for people to adjust to change. PennDOT believes that's part of what's contributed to traffic backups and delays on state Route 28 southbound since new traffic patterns took effect.

Beginning at 5 a.m. Friday morning, two southbound lanes and one northbound lane will be shifted into a side-by-side position along the newly constructed wall.

The right hand southbound lane will no longer be dedicated to the East Ohio Street exit. Both southbound lanes will continue toward the North Shore. The dedicated exit ramp to East Ohio Street will be reestablished.

To allow the new configuration to be implemented the following work will occur:

Wednesday night, Sept. 3 – 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Intermittent stoppages will occur as necessary on southbound Route 28.

Thursday night, Sept. 4 – 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Intermittent stoppages will occur as necessary on northbound Route 28.

All southbound traffic must exit at the East Ohio Street ramp. Traffic will be detoured

DETOURS

East Ohio Street to southbound I-279

East Ohio Street to East Street

Turn left onto East Street/North Canal Street

Take the ramp to south 279/65

End alternate route

East Ohio Street to southbound I-579/Veterans Bridge

East Ohio Street to 16th Street Bridge/Chestnut Street

Turn left and follow Chestnut Street to the 16th Street Bridge

Cross the 16th Street Bridge

Turn right onto Liberty Avenue

Follow Liberty Avenue to Grant Street

Follow Grant Street to Seventh Avenue

Turn left onto Seventh Avenue

Follow to south 579/east 376 (Monroeville/Liberty Bridge)

End alternate route

East Ohio Street to the North Shore

East Ohio Street to East Street

Turn left onto East Street/North Canal Street

Take the ramp toward North Canal Street

Follow North Canal Street to Stockton Avenue

Turn left onto Stockton Avenue

At the light turn left onto General Robinson Street

End detour

Motorists should expect delays and possible stop conditions while the work occurs.

The work is part of the $15.4 million Route 28 Phase V improvement project. The prime contractor is Carmen Paliotta Contracting, Inc. of South Park, PA. Overall work will conclude in late November of 2014.